Trinitas Ventures Initial Renderings

Trinitas Ventures’ request for a change in zoning, from Industrial Light 2 to Detail Plan Development, was recommended for denial by the City Plan Commission at the February 6th, 2012 meeting.  The proposal would allow for the development of a $35 million, 681-bedroom private dormitory to be developed on an existing industrial site, which has sat underutilized for numerous years.  Trinitas Ventures targeted the Milwaukee area and this site in particular, because UWM has seen a 9% enrollment growth since 2005, approximately 26,000 students live off campus today, and UWM can currently only house 15% of their student population.  The project would include 1.1 acres of green space, fully furnished units, tennis courts, a basketball court, a swimming pool, a workout room, shuttle service to campus, and other amenities aimed at attracting college students.

Brian Parish, Vice President of Brokerage Services for The Dickman Company, Inc. spoke in support of the project, and explained that they had been marketing the property since 2009, and that it has been available since 2002, but that we’ve “never concluded a sale or lease in this time”.

Chris Coakley, the property owner, explained that after owning the property for ten years that “at the end of the day, I’ve realized that it’s functionally obsolete”, and that “if this project doesn’t move forward, it will sit empty for another ten years.”

The project was opposed by neighborhood residents and at least two neighboring businesses.  Tulip Corporation was concerned with the potential of receiving complaints from new residents, because Tulip Corporation has operations 24 hours a day and has always been located between industrial uses, not residential uses.  Jonathon Eder, President of In Place Machining Company, spoke at length about the project stating it was critical to “keep it [the site] industrial”, and unless the city commits to its industrial zoning that it will “never attract another business”.  Residents spoke about the impacts on parking, property values, noise, conflict with residents, a potential decrease in property values, and a potential increase in crime that could come about if the project was to move forward.

Alderwoman Coggs explained that despite only having $25 million worth of development in her district in recent years she was “in objection” to this project, and that her “position at this location will not change”.  She listed a variety of reasons including the potential for students to be a target of crime, and that this project was inconsistent with the Northeast Side Area Plan.

Alderman Kovac also spoke in opposition to the project adding that “it’s a very high hurdle to change the zoning, and they haven’t even come close.”

The Commission voted unanimously to recommend denying the change in zoning, despite Trinitas Ventures’ request to hold the file.

1601 N. Jackson St. Apartment Proposal

Dermond Property Investments’ request for a change in zoning for the properties 1601 N. Jackson and 522 E. Pleasant from Local Business (LB2) to a Detailed Planned Development (DPD) will go before the City Plan Commission on January 9th, 2012.  The developer plans to build a five-story 34-unit residential apartment building that will consist of one-bedroom apartments and studios.  Each unit will have a covered outdoor terrace. The project will be located at the intersection of Jackson St. and Pleasant, the former Joey’s Restaurant location.  In excess of the zoning requirement of 18 off-street parking spots the building will include 34 enclosed parking spaces, 24 in the basement and ten on the first floor.  The project will target young professionals that prefer to live in a high-end apartment building with easy access to shopping, dining, and entertainment.

• Public Hearing Notice
• Map
• Description
• Drawings

UPDATE The proposal was originally reported as a four-story apartment building, but including the party room it is a five-story building.

Bay View Apartment Proposal

HKS Holdings LLC. proposal for a $12 million mixed-use apartment building in Bay View was recommend for approval at the December 6th, 2010 City Plan Commission meeting.  The 5-story building, to be located on the southeast corner of Kinnickinnic Ave. and Conway St., would include 70 loft apartments, 9,000 square-feet of first-floor retail, 71 underground parking spots, and 14 additional parking spots dedicated to retail use.

Eric Ponto, from Engberg Anderson explained the design and how it addresses the pedestrian environment.  Along Kinnickinnic Ave. the building will be setback to allow for wider sidewalks, and along Conway St. walk up units will hide the parking.  He added that they wanted the corner to be the “icon of the development.”  The building’s materials include a synthetic cast stone block and cement panels, while the balconies will be stainless steel with Ipe wood caps.

The development group is seeking WHEDA financing for a portion of the project, which would require 20% of the building to consist of affordable rental units.

There was some opposition to the project by a couple of community members.  Greg Bird went so far as to say “the design is boring,” and another neighbor arguing against the gentrification impacts of a project like this saying Bay View isn’t the Third Ward and “we are not that classy.”

This proposal will now before the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee on January 11th UPDATE December 17th. If approved by ZND, the proposal will go before the full Common Council.

Station Gateway Plaza

The preparation of the Downtown Plan Update has involved various public input sessions, countless hours of community and stakeholder input, resident surveys, the involvement of the business community, and the work of city staff. The process is still ongoing and the presentation before the City Plan Commission for approval was the next step in the process.

As previously reported the plan update spells out eight catalytic projects designed to increase density, improve connectivity throughout downtown, and create a sense of place. The eight catalytic projects, would as City of Milwaukee Planning and Development Manager Greg Patin, explained build on the catalytic projects from the 1999 plan.

Surprisingly, at the commission meeting there was some opposition. Pat O’Brien, President of the Milwaukee Development Corporation and the President of the M7, argued that the plan should focus on the remaining catalytic projects from the 1999 plan, that the plan should focus on demand generators, and it should prioritize catalytic projects. Vanessa Koster, City Planning Manager, responded to the critisim saying “We don’t prioritize catalytic projects” and indicated that this will allow the market to respond and drive the projects. She added that “we have many pearls downtown,” and that “this plan strings them all together.”

Broadway Connection

Wispark President Jerry Franke, spoke of a need to create a matrix to guide development, specifically to prioritize TIF use, and that the area laid out in the downtown plan was to far reaching.

Alderman Bauman spoke last saying that he was surprised about there being any controversy, stating that “this is a land use plan, this is not a statement of the City of Milwaukee TIF policy.” He added later that he was glad to hear that the M7 and the MDC are interested in demand generators in downtown Milwaukee. In fact he hoped to hear soon that the M7 has changed their position regarding UWM’s expansion in Wauwatosa, and that he looked forward to the subsequent article by Tom Daykin entitled “M7 calls for demand generators in downtown Milwaukee… like the Engineering School.”

Despite calls for the City of Milwaukee to set TIF policy within the land-use plan, the Downtown Plan Update moved forward with unanimous support from the City Plan Commission.

Drawing of the proposed riverwalk segment

The riverwalk segment for the proposed Beerline B Apartments will go before the Milwaukee City Plan Commission on August 23rd. General Capital Group is bringing the riverwalk segment forward for approval before the entire project. The 140-unit project, which recently was awarded $2,345,310 in WHEDA tax credits for 119 low-income units, will occupy the corner of Commerce St and Pleasant St. The site was one-time the location of the proposed Pleasant Street Market anchored around a grocery store, which appeared to halt after the anchor tenant signed a deal on the other side of the river.

The Beerline B Apartments riverwalk segment is the missing piece that will connect all of the Beerline B neighborhood with Schlitz Park and the rest of Westown, East Town, and the Historic Third Ward via the Milwaukee Riverwalk.

Project Files

• Project Narrative (PDF)
• Project Photos (PDF)
• Project Drawings (PDF)
• Beerline TIF Update (12/31/2009)

The six-story apartment building would be built into the hillside along Water St., adjacent to the stair case within the Astor St. right-of-way, and would contain 68-units.  It will include 520 square ft. studio apartments and 1,100 square ft. two bedroom apartments.  The top four floors will include 17 apartments on each floor.  There will be two levels of structured parking which will be accessible from Water St, and include 69 parking spots.  The first floor will give access to the parking garage, and contain a community room and fitness center.

Tom Daykin’s blog has more here.

You can see a variety of the renderings below (click image to enlarge)

If approved, the development will go before the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee, and then onto the full Common Council.  The full detailed plan is available on City Plan Commission website, and the associated file, 081081, is now available in legistar.

Paula Kiley, the Director of the Milwaukee Public Library, explained that the new facility will be somewhat smaller than the existing library but that the existing library is just one of seven City of Milwaukee libraries that are in the need a new HVAC system, and would need $750,000 to continue operating.  She went on to add that by using more technology and having one point of service the new library will offer better service despite the smaller facility.  There was some discussion regarding using this mixed-use model for other libraries in the city and she responded indicated that this concept is being looked into and that the “East library is the one that’s got the most consideration.”

Alderman Hamilton spoke in strong support of the project saying that “a lot of business that is generated over their is anchored by the library,” and that “this has been the catalytic project for that area.”  Former Saint Louis Ram, and University of Wisconsin football player Charles Belin spoke with great passion regarding the project saying that this is an “excellent, excellent thing you guys are doing here,” he went on to explain by telling his football story, that “sometimes you’re on the edge of some great thing happening,” and therefore this project should be supported.  This project had previously been approved, but hadn’t moved forward due to a lack of funding.  It has now received $7.8 million in WHEDA tax credits which should allow it to move forward soon.

This revision to the proposal was easily approved, and will now go before the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee.

Three residents spoke in opposition to the project, primarily due to the buildings height, its perceived negative visual impact, and typical concerns of parking and traffic.  Richard Koenings, of the Marine Terminal Lofts Condominium Association, stated “I’m hugely in favor of development,” but went on to say that he opposes this proposal.  In addition to the residents Alderman Bauman spoke in opposition to the project saying “frankly I do think this is a mistake.”

The City Plan Commissoin voted in support of the proposal with only one vote in opposition.  This proposal will now go before the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee.

If approved by the Common Concil, the project would be approved for an 19-story building with 186 residential units, 236 guest rooms, and first floor office/retail.

Even with approval construction is not imminent.  Approval will allow the project to finalize its financing and move towards fruition.

First up were long over due improvements, or repairs, for the Schlitz Park Riverwalk  This section of the Riverwalk dates to 1988 and is considered “the original district.”  The plan includes adding a low retaining wall of poured in place concrete that will be landscaped with trees and shrubs along 1100 linear feet of the river.  This file was approved and will now go before the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee.

The other item of interest was the presentation of the Near South Side Area Plan.  The planning team included members from the Department of City Development, the consulting firm HNTB, and a variety of members from the community.  The group explained that this process has gone on for over a year and that over 140 people attend their March 17th, 2009 public meeting.  The plan included a long list of of catalytic projects, and suggestions to develop the area.  It recommended that S. 2nd St become more of a main street, with narrower streets, improved streetscape, and there should be efforts to attract local retail operators.  In the Mitchell St. area the plan included improving pedestrian access to parking in the rear of the buildings, the development of market rate or subsidized housing on the block, and the possible creation of a Mitchell Street Market.   Another project included the creation of the Ceasar Chavez Signature Development which would be a mixed use building with retail on the first floor and subsidized housing above.  The most significant redevelopment plan involved the Reed Street Yards.  The plan suggested reconnecting the site with the surrounding street grid, providing open space and access to the water, encouraged taller building configurations, and suggested that attracting research based business should be explored.  Other suggestions included improved connections to the Menomonee Valley, a new Urban Ecology branch, the creation of a dedicated non-profit organization to develop the 5th and National cultural, arts, and entertainment district, creation of river node parks, and an extension of the Riverwalk system.

This plan wasn’t without opposition.  A couple of residents spoke in opposition explaining they felt there wasn’t enough community involvement.  One resident asked “why fix something that doesn’t need to be fixed?”  He went on to say that “if you approve it, it will cause a lot of racial and economic disparity in the district.”  Despite these concerns the plan was approved and will now go before the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee.

The other item of interest was the proposed rehabilitation of Highbridge condominium building envelop.  This rehabilitation has become needed because of several failures in the construction that has lead to extensive leaking throughout the building.  The brick on the upper floors will be clad over with EIFS to create a new weather barrier, and new windows will be installed throughout the building.  Kelly Thompson, the architect from Facility Engineering, who was hired to render repairs to mitigate these failures stated his desire to insure the rehabilitated building doesn’t take away from the neighborhood by saying “we really don’t want it to look like the Hampton Inn out on the west side of town.”  This file was approved and will now go before the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee.